HMS Powerful

[websterbfc]

Hoping someone can help.

Have the death of a 17 year old lad in 1918 info as follows

Sidney A C Crisp, Boy 2nd Class, Royal Navy, HMS Powerful, J/92427

Died 25th September 1918 aged 17

Son of Albert and Elizabeth Crisp, of 23, Alfred Rd, Buckhurst Hill

I understand from another source that in Ford Park Cemetery in Plymouth there are a number of graves of young sailors who lost their lives on HMS Powerful in Sept/October 1918

I know that at that time HMS Powerful was a training ship and wondered if anyone knew of an accident that would cause so many deaths of young me at the same time ...or where would be a good place to start looking for the information

I have been looking for records of Sydney Crisp but so far have found nothing

[websterbfc]

Found this on roll of honour website
HMS Powerful and her sister ship HMS Terrible were the largest cruisers ever built for the Royal Navy. During the Great War she was moored in Devonport and used as a Boy’s Training Ship.

Ernest William Blackhouse Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy. HMS Powerful.
Died 27/09/1918. Age 17.
Service number J/92430
Son of Mr J J and Mrs E E Backhouse of 51 The Street, Hazlewood, Saxmundham. Buried at Aldeburgh (SS Peter and Paul) Churchyard (Boy Backhouse’s death was recorded at East Stonehouse, Devon).

Frank Harry Bowstead
HMS Powerful 91735
date of death 06/10/1918 Age 18

ALLEN A G Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 26/09/1918
Service No: J/92428

H N D BAKER Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 23/09/1918
Service No: J/92300

MORGAN W Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 01/10/1918
Service No: J/92644

SARGENT, ALFRED VICTOR Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 01/10/1918 Age: 18
Service No: J/92633
Son of Alfred Sargent, of 52, Loder Rd., Brighton.

STONE H T Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 23/09/1918 Age: 18
Service No: J/92273
Son of John and Emma Stone, of Uppertown, Bonsall, Derbyshire.

THOMPSON, SYDNEY MARKHAM Boy 2nd Class
Royal Navy H.M.S. "Powerful."
Date of Death: 28/09/1918 Age: 17
Service No: J/92293
Son of William Horatio and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, of 66, Richmond St., Burton-on-Trent.

[Jan1954]

Could they have been victims of the influenza pandemic of 1918/19? This article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu) mentions that many of its victims were healthy young adults.

I would also have thought that, in the close confines of a training ship, the infection would have spread very quickly. Perhaps the only way to be sure would be to obtain a couple of the death certificates.

[websterbfc]

good thinking jan i didnt think of the flu

i have the reference for sidneys death and was already sitting here thinking i may order it to see what he died of

[peter nicholl]

After a quick "Google" I found two more from HMS Powerful, both of whom died of 'flu and there are further references to the 'flu outbreak on HMS Powerful.
Albert R J Charles, dod 26 September 1918 and Frank Eatswood, dod 28 December 1918
Peter
PS Found on www.roll-of-honour.com

[websterbfc]

thanks peter, i think i will order that cert and see if my one also died of the flu, how sad at 17 years old